Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was fastest in the final practice session of qualifying for the German Grand Prix, setting the time of 1min 30.916sec in the final lap of the session.

The cold weather resulted in the opening half of third practice being used for bedding the cars, but times began to drop as temperatures improved and the drivers switched to the soft tyres.

The Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher put in some quick times immediately, continuing what have been some strong practice periods for the team, who have brought various upgrades to Germany.

Fernando Alonso responded, taking the top spot and, again, suggesting the pace the Ferrari showed at the British Grand Prix was not simply down to rule changes at Silverstone, although Felipe Massa could not match it, concluding the session in seventh place.

Perhaps most encouraged by their morning's work will be McLaren. Some technical issues, and difficulties finding the right set-up, had affected their first two practice outings, but Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton found more pace on Saturday. Finishing in fourth and fifth, they remain unlikely to challenge for the front row, but will be more confident going into qualifying.

Which left Mark Webber to take over at the top with a quick lap at the end of the session before being pipped by Vettel. Alonso held third, with Rosberg, Massa, Adrian Sutil, Schumacher and the Williams of Pastor Maldonado rounding out the top 10.

Conditions were dry throughout, but rain is expected at some point during qualifying. There has been no wet running thus far for any teams and taking advantage of changeable conditions may be crucial on Sunday.